User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 2:34:58 PM EDT
Located at Werner peak MT, about 12 Mi NW of Whitefish.
    
   70cm antenna on the left, 2M antenna on the right.    Took a few hours more than I thought it would, luckily we have about 14 hours of daylight here this time of the year and we got it done before dark. Antenna elevation is right at about 7000' elevation and should reach about 150 Mi radius. It you're going to be in the area, it is 147.260+ 100hz and 444.650+ 100hz. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 2:48:28 PM EDT
[#1]
That is cool
How did you guys get all that concrete up there? Is there a road? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 2:51:51 PM EDT
[#2]
How long have youhad the beard?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 2:53:30 PM EDT
[#3]
That's a lot nicer shack than most repeaters go in.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 2:55:13 PM EDT
[#4]
Nice job!
What's the temperature up there? I see guys in jackets. It's been 100 degrees here for a month. 
Don't see any Arfcom patches. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 3:08:05 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That is cool How did you guys get all that concrete up there? Is there a road? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 3:08:22 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How long have youhad the beard? 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 3:09:44 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's a lot nicer shack than most repeaters go in. http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/trust/real-estate/recreational-property-rentals Unfortunately, it's all booked up for the 2018 season. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 3:11:10 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice job! What's the temperature up there? I see guys in jackets. It's been 100 degrees here for a month.
Don't see any Arfcom patches. I was the only Arfcom guy there. ETA: Plus you can see the snow drifts on the north face, still 4-6' deep in places. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 4:14:44 PM EDT
[#9]
#ThreadoftheMonth
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 7:10:31 PM EDT
[#10]
New repeaters or re-engineered existing site?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 7:39:24 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
New repeaters or re-engineered existing site? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 7:45:21 PM EDT
[#12]
Very cool!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/8/2018 7:50:27 PM EDT
[#13]
You definitely can never over estimate just how violent it gets at altitude. A friends commercial repeater site is littered with the carcasses of hardware past. Antennas, wind generators, solar cells, tower sections. You name it, eats them for lunch. It's amazing that the lookouts survive, mostly.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/9/2018 11:59:11 AM EDT
[#14]
Better view of the whole tower and antennae.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/9/2018 1:22:03 PM EDT
[#15]
Is it bolted to the deck and roof of the main structure? If the wind brings down that tower, that could result in some serious damage. Any guy wires?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/9/2018 1:28:46 PM EDT
[#16]
Where is the "LIKE" button?
Is that Rohn 55? Looks more stout than 45. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/9/2018 3:17:48 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Is it bolted to the deck and roof of the main structure? If the wind brings down that tower, that could result in some serious damage. Any guy wires? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/9/2018 3:18:08 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Where is the "LIKE" button? Is that Rohn 55? Looks more stout than 45. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/9/2018 3:20:35 PM EDT
[#19]
The coverage on this is amazing.
One of the guys that was taking pictures is driving south and is still hitting it just before he got to Missoula. Basically all of NW MT is in its footprint. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/9/2018 5:51:46 PM EDT
[#20]
Everything about this post, and that site, is AWESOME!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/10/2018 11:56:13 AM EDT
[#21]
Nice setup. Pictures are great.
I am headed up to our hub repeater tomorrow morning to work on the 900 link. Degraded signal over the last year, most likely from ice damage. Since we can just now get up there as the ice and snow finally left. McCall, Idaho area. This system covers from Riggins, Idaho, south to around Idaho City, Idaho, then west to around Joseph, Ore. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/10/2018 8:19:44 PM EDT
[#22]
Very cool.
Any provisions for lightning protection and grounding? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/10/2018 8:42:22 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Very cool. Any provisions for lightning protection and grounding? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/11/2018 6:29:23 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The coverage on this is amazing. One of the guys that was taking pictures is driving south and is still hitting it just before he got to Missoula. Basically all of NW MT is in its footprint. Solar panels attached to the tower? Holy crap that makes it a huge wind surface area. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/11/2018 6:51:28 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
that is awesome. Solar panels attached to the tower? Holy crap that makes it a huge wind surface area. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
The coverage on this is amazing. One of the guys that was taking pictures is driving south and is still hitting it just before he got to Missoula. Basically all of NW MT is in its footprint. Solar panels attached to the tower? Holy crap that makes it a huge wind surface area. edit: I'd definitely move them to the handrail on the other side of the bldg or an additional mount on the other side. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/11/2018 10:38:55 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'd be extremely concerned about the wind loading on that Rohn with those panels, especially given the location. edit: I'd definitely move them to the handrail on the other side of the bldg or an additional mount on the other side. Pic of Werner peak in the winter. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/11/2018 12:30:16 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The coverage on this is amazing. One of the guys that was taking pictures is driving south and is still hitting it just before he got to Missoula. Basically all of NW MT is in its footprint.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/11/2018 2:34:06 PM EDT
[#28]
 Attached FileNot much of a tower needed in your part of the world. 
Ours is on a 527' KDNL TV tower in downtown St. Louis, MO. I am absolutely sure our coverage won't hold a candle to yours. Outstanding pics and thanks for posting. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/12/2018 5:34:17 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's some badass coverage. Us southern guys just dream about that kinda stuff.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/12/2018 5:45:59 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Sounds like you need a 7k foot tower. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/13/2018 2:21:14 PM EDT
[#31]
Some solar charger controllers can be programed to "de-ice" the panels in the morning by running reverse current to the panels for a short time to melt off snow.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/13/2018 2:30:30 PM EDT
[#32]
I'll be back up there tomorrow to assist with repairs to the look-out.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/14/2018 5:26:28 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's a good question, let me ask. Since you asked, I went and got pics today of the grounding system. The whole radio cabinet is grounded / bonded to the towers grounding system. Radio cabinet. 
Grounding cables for the lookout. Roof has lightning rods at peak and all 4 corners which come together under the lookout. 
Cables from one of the corners. 
Amazingly, the Osborne Fire Finder is still there in our radio room. It certainly would NOT still be there had it been left in the lookout. 
More pics 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/14/2018 7:43:35 PM EDT
[#34]
@aa777888-2
The math from your other post, 4*sqrt(h1+h2)/3. Calculate that for an antenna at 7004'.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/15/2018 10:55:59 AM EDT
[#35]
111NM
You really notice things like this when you are flying. You'll be at, say, 2000ft AGL, headed to airport that uses a frequency that is shared with many small airports. While monitoring on that frequency and you'll hear someone who is also at a similar altitude landing at an airport 100NM away that uses the same frequency, clear as a bell. And most small aircraft radios have only 10W output power. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/15/2018 11:22:59 AM EDT
[#36]
At around 30,000 feet, I could usually get 180-200 miles on UHF. I don't recall how much power the radio was putting out. That's about what the tacan was good for, too.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/15/2018 12:39:12 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
At around 30,000 feet, I could usually get 180-200 miles on UHF. I don't recall how much power the radio was putting out. That's about what the tacan was good for, too. Again, general aviation usually uses comm. radios with 10W output power, the bigger iron use radios with 25W. However the TACAN airborne transmitters are normally 500W. I'd guess that in either case you are still LOS limited and not power limited. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/15/2018 12:50:44 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
111NM
You really notice things like this when you are flying. You'll be at, say, 2000ft AGL, headed to airport that uses a frequency that is shared with many small airports. While monitoring on that frequency and you'll hear someone who is also at a similar altitude landing at an airport 100NM away that uses the same frequency, clear as a bell. And most small aircraft radios have only 10W output power. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/15/2018 3:35:49 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:Now I need some mapping tool to draw a radius around the location. http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=48.577480&lon=-114.432907&z=19&m=b&search=Werner%20peak I took a shot at modeling your coverage. I didn't know all of your repeater's parameters, obviously, but this is probably close. You can (should) model it yourself, of course. Be sure to change the primary coverage zone color to something other than green, because the green will get lost on the background map where the repeater is located. I wonder: does this coverage prediction match with your expectations for this site?  Attached File |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/15/2018 4:01:36 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No, you can do much better than that. Go sign up here: Radio Mobile Online. It's a free radio coverage modeling tool specifically aimed at amateur radio. It uses some commonly available modeling software with a web interface. I took a shot at modeling your coverage. I didn't know all of your repeater's parameters, obviously, but this is probably close. You can (should) model it yourself, of course. Be sure to change the primary coverage zone color to something other than green, because the green will get lost on the background map where the repeater is located. I wonder: does this coverage prediction match with your expectations for this site? https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/16697/Capture4-608619.JPG |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/15/2018 8:33:45 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Sounds like you need a 7k foot tower. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: That's some badass coverage. Us southern guys just dream about that kinda stuff.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/16/2018 12:49:50 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted: That's some badass coverage. Us southern guys just dream about that kinda stuff. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/16/2018 2:42:07 PM EDT
[#43]
Great read, very interesting. Thanks for the pics.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/16/2018 9:28:12 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/19/2018 12:41:25 AM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @Gyprat Since you asked, I went and got pics today of the grounding system. The whole radio cabinet is grounded / bonded to the towers grounding system. [/url] I bet they used a grounding mat instead of grounding rods. Maybe grounding rods placed in shallow trench horizontally. Either way, it's a great place for a repeater. We have a repeater on Mt.Mitchell and it has a HUGE coverage compared to other local repeaters. IMHO, that place could be a great spot for a VHF contest. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/19/2018 1:01:25 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: that is awesome. Solar panels attached to the tower? Holy crap that makes it a huge wind surface area. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/19/2018 12:16:39 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Thanks for the reply. I hope you did not make the trip to take the pictures of the grounding only. I bet they used a grounding mat instead of grounding rods. Maybe grounding rods placed in shallow trench horizontally. Either way, it's a great place for a repeater. We have a repeater on Mt.Mitchell and it has a HUGE coverage compared to other local repeaters. IMHO, that place could be a great spot for a VHF contest. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/19/2018 12:18:20 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I wasn't going to say anything, but especially with the winds that probably prevail there, unless those things are broadcast grade, I bet you find them dangling eventually. I'd keep a good eye on where the tower is attached to the building, too, you might see the attachment points start to pull out, or building damage.
We are not allowed to put the panels on the building so they are in the next best place. They are about 8' lower than on the previous tower. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
